
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS.
17
that the existence of Satan, or of any moral evil,
can be a desirable thing in the universe of God.
The Lord did not originate sin, he never created an
evil being. Angels and men were all created up-
right, but they fell, and have become desperately
wicked. Now it appears reasonable and just, yes,
necessary, that God should place intelligent creat-
ures on probation, and permit them to form their
characters as they should choose, for there could
be no character at all without choice;. and he
reserves all to the decisions of the Judgment.
But we could not vindicate the government of God
if he had originated sin, and planted moral evil in
the hearts of his creatures. And it would likewise
disparage his character and government, if, after
sin had intruded itself into his fair creation, and"
marred it with its hateful work, he would perpet-
uate it and give it an eternal abiding-place in his
dominions. Said the Saviour, " Every plant,
which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall
be rooted up." Matt. 15: 13. It is a cheering
thought that the universe of God will be restored
to its sinless, happy state, in which it was created.
See Rev. 5: 13.
THE idea that Christ laid not hold of angels, or
partook not of their nature, brings up the ques-
tion of representation in the fall and recovery of
man. Adam's sin involved his whole poster-
ity in ruin. He stood as their representative, and
the gifts of God to him were intended for all his
race. See Gen. 1:28; Ps. tx5:16. But as nane of
Adam's posterity represented a race, none of them
could involve his posterity by his action. And
therefore none of them has sinned after the simili-
tude of Adam's transgression. See the argument
on representation in the fall and recovery, in Rom.
5: II-21.